Energy converter



Nov. 1, 1938. H. H. NICHOLSON ENERGY CONVERTER Fiied Nov. 15, 1955 3m HEIWyfiCZl ZG/ZOLSOn Patented Nov. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ENERGY CONVERTER Henry Harrison Nicholson, Boulder, Colo. Application November 13, 1935, Serial No. 49,627

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a means for converting latent fuel energy into effective energy for power, heating or other purposes and an object is to utilize a structure in which products of combustion are utilized for the generation of steam and thereafter mixed with the steam to form an elastic fluid which can be utilized for the various purposes stated.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which is simple and compact in construction, will not become overheated, can be produced at low cost, and operates without requiring the services of a skilled mechanic.

A still further object is to prevent overheating of the walls of the device by the use of water admitted thereto for conversion intosteam.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed. i

In the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the converter.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-Z, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3, Figure 1.

Referring to the figures by.characters of reference, l designates the cylindrical or body por-- tion of the main casing of the converter closed at one end by a substantially conical head 2 which extends into the casing and is concentrically disposed relative thereto.

The other end of the main casing is closed by a head 3 which, in the structure illustrated, is semi-spherical, although it is to be understood that it can be of other shapes found most desirable. Opening into this head 3 at its center is a nozzle 4 for supplying hydrocarbon fuel to the interior of head 3 and casing I in the form of a spray. This nozzle is joined to a suitable supply (not shown) by a pipe 5 having a valve 6 used for regulating the flow of the fuel.

Arranged in the head adjacent to the nozzle 4 and along lines'converging within the head 3 and easing l are nozzles I for supplying air under pressure and each of these nozzles has. a supply pipe 8 connected thereto. The flow of air to the nozzles can be controlled by valve 9. Other air nozzles 10 can be located at desired points in the head and each can have a valved supply pipe H connected thereto. A suitable ignition device, such as a spark plug I2 is carried by the head and thus the interior of the head will constitute a combustion chamber wherein a mixture of air and hydrocarbon fuel will be consumed.

The head 3 can be utilized as a means for clamping to one end of the main casing I, an annular flange l3 extending around the open end of the cylindrical or body portion of an inner casing M which extends longitudinally within but is spaced from casing i so as to form an annular chamber I5. The other end of this inner casing has an elongated conical head l6 extending throughout the length of casing I l and surrounding but spaced from the head 2. The space between the heads 2 and it constitutes a steam generating chamber IT. A Water spraying nozzle 16 is located at the center of the head 2 which might be called the apex of the head and is em ployed for directing a spray of water in the chamber H and against the wall of head it. A pipe I9 is employed for supplying water to nozzle l8 and has a valve 20 whereby the flow of water to the nozzle can be controlled.

An annular groove 2| is formed in the inner surface of easing I at a point adjacent to the head 3 and opening into this groove are a desired number of radial ports 22 from which are ex tended outlet pipes 23 used for conducting gases under pressure to the final points of consumption.

The combustion chamber C is provided with a desired number of outlets 24 at the margin of the head l6 so that gases generated within the combustion chamber C can flow outwardly into the space between the inner and outer casings.

In practice liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is directed into the combustion chamber C from nozzle 4 which acts to spray the fuel in the chamber. At the same time air under pressure is directed into chamber 0 from nozzles I and ill and as all of the nozzles project the spray into the chamber along lines converging toward the jet of hydrocarbon fuel, it will be apparent that the air will break up the fuel and thoroughly mix therewith so it can be ignited readily by the ignition device l2. When the mixture is ignited the gaseous products of combustion under pressure will flow within the chamber C and around head IE to the outlets 24. This will heat the casing l4 and the head IE to a high temperature. Water is sprayed into chamber I1 from nozzle l8 and will come against the surface of the head l6 and be converted into steam, at the same time acting to reduce the temperature of the head [6 so that it will not become heated to such an extent as to break down. The generated steam will flow between the heads 2 and I5 and will pass the outlets 24 where it will mix with the gaseous products of combustion and form a thorough mixture of gas and steam and this mixture will move to the annular groove 2| and travel therealong to ports 22 and pipes 23 thence to the point of consumption.

When the steam mixes with the products of combustion it supplies added energy while at the same time reducing the temperature of the escaping gases so that the walls of the converter will not become over-heated.

The air in chamber C insures complete combustion of the fuel.

It will be noted that this device is very simple in construction and after once being centered and adjusted will operate continuously to produce, at low cost, a vast amount of active energy useful not only for power purposes but also for heating, etc.

What is claimed is:

1. An energy converter including an outer casing having a combustion chamber in one end and an inwardly extended head at its other end, an inner casing secured within the outer casing and opening at one end into the combustion chamber, said inner casing being spaced from the outer casing to provide an annular chamber, and having an inwardly extended head surrounding and spaced from the inwardly extended head of the outer casing to provide a steam generating chamber between the heads, means for supplying a combustible fuel mixture to the combustion chamber, means for igniting the mixture to heat the inner casing and its head, and means for directing water into the generating chamber for conversion into steam by the hot walls of said chamber, there being an outlet for the products of combustion from the inner casing into the annular chamber, and an outlet for discharging steam from the generating chamber into the products of combustion delivered to the annular chamber,

2. An energy converter including an outer casing having a cylindrical portion one end of which is closed by a tapered head extending into the cylindrical portion, an inner casing secured in the outer casing and comprising a cylindrical portion provided at one end with a tapered end extending into said cylindrical portion, the two casings being spaced apart at their cylindrical portions to provide an annular chamber having an outlet and being spaced apart between their tapered heads to provide a steam generating chamber in communication with said annular chamber, means between the cylindrical portion of the inner casing and its tapered head for maintaining communication between the annular chamber and the interior of the inner casing, means for directing water into the generating chamber between the heads, a head connected to the inner and outer casings and closing one end of the chamber within the inner casing, thereby to provide a combustion chamber, means for directing a combustible fuel mixture into the combustion chamber, and means for igniting the mixture.

3. An energy converter including inner and outer casings each having a cylindrical portion and a tapered head extended into the cylindrical portion, a head closing the casings at one end and providing a combustion chamber in the inner casing, said casings being spaced apart to provide an annular chamber between the cylindrical portions and a steam generating chamber between the heads, said chambers communicating at one end with-each other and with the corresponding end of the combustion chamber to permit mixing of steam with the products of combustion, there being an exhaust outlet from the annular chamber, means for supplying a combustible fuel mixture to the combustion chamber, means for igniting said mixture, and means for directing water into the steam generating chamber to cool the heads forming the walls thereof and generate steam.

HENRY HARRISON NICHOLSON. 

